I have to be honest, before the global pandemic I didn’t like the idea of powdered foods. Opting for fresh “perishable” foods, like raw fruits and vegetables, has always been favoured.
The thing is, fresh fruits and vegetables are becoming harder to get your hands on. And let’s face it, making fresh green juice is great for you. But it can be messy and time-consuming.
Our problems have changed drastically. But there are lots of new opportunities opening. If you’re anything like me, you’ve exhausted the space in your freezer and are now searching for alternative sources of nutrition to fuel the health of you and your family.
The health conscious around the world are looking for ways to stay healthy, especially in times of emergency. But now the focus has shifted. We need long lasting non-perishable foods that will provide health and peace of mind. While still investing in high-quality, thoughtfully-sourced ingredients.
Fruits and veggies don’t last long – unless they’re dehydrated, canned or frozen. Which means getting your daily green juice can be a bit hard if you can’t get to the store several times a week. For that reason, why not make the switch to a high-quality powdered green juice?
In this article, we’ll explore non-perishable foods which are both nutritious and cost-effective; what you should store in your emergency pantry; and seven healthy non-perishable foods.
What’s Considered a Non-perishable Food Item?
A non-perishable food item has a long shelf life, and normally doesn’t require refrigeration to keep it from spoiling. Non-perishable foods are essential in emergency situations, and while hiking or camping. Some common examples include:
- Canned foods
- Rice
- Pasta
- Lentils
- Dried/ dehydrated goods
Learn more: The Most Nutritionally Complete Powdered Food Supplement
Which Food Lasts Longest Without Refrigeration?
My top pick for foods that are long-lasting and healthy would be dried superfoods.
Especially high-quality formulations that can be enjoyed easily. Allowing you to have your health-boosting green juice without the headaches of sourcing fresh vegetables and superfoods.
What’s more, if you have a quality superfood formula that you can grab and prepare, you can create healthy lattes, salad dressings, nice cream, smoothie and smoothie bowls with ease.
Plus, there will be less waste, as superfoods are long-lasting.
The secret to your food longevity is low water activity. Which is why dried foods, when stored correctly, are a fantastic long-lasting source of nutrition.
Other foods that last without refrigeration are listed in the “year’s supply of emergency foods” below.
Is Dried Food Healthy? (You Might Be Surprised)
Dehydrated foods, when prepared correctly, retain the enzymes and nutrition of the produce. Dehydration is the process of removing the water from a food with low heat, to preserve the nutrition.
Surprisingly, in some cases, dehydrated foods are more healthy than store-bought food. Due to the fact that produce loses nutritional value when harvested, shipped across the world, then stored on shelves.
When food is dried correctly (immediately after picking) it can actually be a better source of natural vitamins and minerals than produce that has been stored for days or weeks.
Another way to dry food is with freeze-drying. Where food is preserved by a process called sublimation. The only thing about freeze-drying is that nutrients are lost during the process. Which means that properly dehydrated foods are normally healthier.
Learn more: Top 5 Vitamins to Boost the Immune System
The Best Survival Foods & Benefits of Dehydrated Foods
By far, dehydrated powdered foods are the best source of nutrition in an emergency. Especially when the produce is ethically sourced. Some dried food, like apples and potatoes, can be stored for a whopping 20 years when dehydrated.
While most other dehydrated fruits will last up to five years.
Here are four benefits of dehydrated foods:
- Long shelf life
- Nutritionally rich
- Cost effective
- Easy to store
Other methods of food preservation like canning or freezing are expensive and take up a lot of space.
Learn more: 7 Vegetarian Superfoods for Protein
7 Healthy Non Perishable Foods
Contrary to popular belief, many non-perishable foods are healthy. In fact, you can create a varied and balanced diet by simply purchasing a wide range of non-perishable foods.
For example, most fruits and vegetables can be purchased dehydrated. This means that they’ve been dried as soon as they’ve been picked and still retain their vitamins, enzymes and minerals.
Seaweed
A great staple healthy food that lasts for up to two years. After two years it will not rot, but the nutritional value and flavour will start to lessen. Seaweed is the best dietary source of iodine, which makes it a great food for balancing hormones. It’s also packed with zinc, iron and b vitamins.
Powdered green juices
Such as Green Vibrance, provided by Vibrant Health, are amazing solutions for non perishable juicing or detoxing. Plant-based protein powders also provide essential amino acids and last for around 2 years.
Nuts and seeds
Powerhouses of nutrition! Especially if you soak them prior to eating. Nuts last for up to 12 months, and seeds will last for several years in the right conditions.
Natural nut butters
..are delicious and can be stored up to 3-9 months.
Dried or canned beans
A great source of plant-based protein, vitamins and minerals. They make meals and soups more substantial and beans can last up to 10 years when dried (2-5 years canned).
Dried produce
Both dehydrated and sun-dried are great as you can store them for 6months to 20 years (the average shelf-life of dried produce is five years).
Granola bars
..are nutritious, especially if you make them yourself or choose a brand that is free from processed sugars and preservatives.
Related: Can Red Marine Algae Really Help Boost Your Immune System?
Emergency Food Supply List (Year Supply)
A few months back, preppers were laughed at. Now they’re the most organised and envied among us.
There’s been a massive disruption to our food supply, despite what the governments are saying.
Which means that self-reliance has never been more important.
If you want to store food for a year or more, then you need to make sure that it’s stored correctly. In airtight, vacuum-sealed containers that are kept in a dark and dry room. You’ll want the room temperature to be 75°F/24°C or lower.
Before you plan your year’s emergency food supply, you’ll also need to know how many people you’re feeding for a year. Plus, a handy labelling device will keep everything orderly
Here’s a list of 22 items that you’ll want to include in your emergency food pantry:
- Green juice powder
- Protein powder
- Canned foods
- Dried herbs and seasoning like salt and pepper
- Sweet flavourings like vanilla, cinnamon and maple syrup
- Nuts and trail mix
- Dried/dehydrated foods
- Jars of jam and peanut butter
- Chocolate
- Vitamins
- Yeast
- Sauces
- Pasta
- Rice
- Flour
- Bottled water
- Oils, like olive oil or coconut oil
- Tea and coffee
- Dried milk
- Dried beans and seeds
- Oats and oatmeal
- Vinegar (apple cider vinegar is the healthiest and is multipurpose)
Related: Can Viruses Spread Via Water? Plus the Best Ways to Disinfect Water
Final Thoughts
It can be tempting, when looking for non-perishable foods, to fill your trolley (or online basket) with unhealthy items. Due to thinking that fresh produce is the only way to stay healthy.
After doing a lot of research, I’ve found that there are a lot of healthy foods that you can store for decades, while they still retain their nutrition.
A daily green juice will go a long way to providing a healthy foundation for health, while dehydrated foods can create a tasty lunch option. Nuts and dried foods are great snack options, and protein powder will provide the amino acids to keep you fit and healthy.
Let’s not forget your daily supplements, which are long-lasting and will help to boost your immune system.
Written by best-selling author and integrative nutrition health coach Rowanna Watson, who has a passion for natural health. Rowanna is an expert in all areas of holistic health, plant-based nutrition, detoxification and personal development.
Water for Health Ltd began trading in 2007 with the goal of positively affecting the lives of many. We still retain that mission because we believe that proper hydration and nutrition can make a massive difference to people’s health and quality of life. Click here to find out more.
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